In fact, during the fall months, 30 million Americans suffer from symptoms related to pollen allergies—allergic rhinitis (or hay fever). You might actually suffer from fall allergies until the first freeze comes in winter.

What Causes Fall Allergies?

What is causing your allergy symptoms in the months of September, October, November and even into December? A few major causes of fall allergies are:

ragweed pollen

weed pollen grains

mold spores (often found on damp, wet leaves outdoors)

dust mites

If you suffer from allergies during other months, keep an eye on your health during the fall months. You might have allergy symptoms during the fall, as well.

7 Signs of Fall Allergies

Many types of plants can cause hay fever in the autumn season. In addition, the 17 varieties of ragweed are the biggest threat of causing hay fever. As a matter of fact, 3 out of 4 people who have pollen allergies are actually allergic to ragweed.

When someone inhales the tiny particles of pollen grains and ragweed, they can suffer from a variety of symptoms.

There are 7 signs of fall allergies and symptoms, including:

Sneezing

Congestion

Fatigue

Coughing

Post-nasal drip

Itchy eyes, nose, and throat

Asthma attacks

Treatment Options for Fall Allergy Sufferers

One of the best treatment options is to avoid allergy triggers as much as possible. We know this might not be feasible for many people, however. For those who simply cannot avoid the triggers, see an allergy specialist.

At Northeast Atlanta ENT, our doctors provide testing and treatment for allergy sufferers. For instance, we offer the following allergy treatments:

Other Ways to Minimize Fall Allergy Symptoms

Aside from the allergy treatments our doctors can provide, there are a few actions you can take to minimize your symptoms.

Figure out your allergy triggers. As we mentioned earlier, there are 7 common signs and symptoms that may indicate allergies. Keep an eye out for these symptoms. If you experience them, keep a log to pinpoint what is causing your symptoms. Do you often sneeze outdoors? Do your eyes burn and itch when you’re in a certain room in your home? When you begin to figure out the triggers, you can avoid them as much as possible.

Use common sense and DIY practices. Do you have a dog that might track in pollen from the outdoors? Does the dog sleep in your room at night, which just so happens to be the time of day when you sneeze like crazy? Do you wear sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from pollen? There are many circumstances throughout your day to evaluate and protect yourself from allergy triggers as much as possible.

Be aware of your allergy symptoms while you eat and drink. Many people who have autumn ragweed allergies often experience more symptoms when eating certain foods. Bananas, zucchini, chamomile tea, sunflower seeds, cucumbers, and melons can provoke symptoms in those people suffering from ragweed allergies. If you know you are allergic to ragweed, it might be best to either eliminate or limit your intake of these foods during the fall months.

What Should I do Now?

As you can see, evaluating your allergy symptoms and triggers is not an easy task. Sometimes it is best to leave it up to the experts.

If you’ve been experiencing fall allergy symptoms for longer than you’d like, get relief now. Schedule your appointment with one of our knowledgable doctors at Northeast Atlanta ENT.